Uncle J & Aunt K Visit

My brother got to come meet Vera for the first time in route to move to France!  J& K drove down for a long weekend last weekend.  We had a great time together.

This post is a little out of order but here are some highlights from their trip.  On Sunday morning we explored a new beach.  We had a short hike in to get to the beach, but it was beautiful!  

Shortly after we got there the clouds rolled in and we got caught in a downpour.  Vera, Kels and I headed back to the car.  We were completely soaked.  Charlie, Jarad and Stella stayed and played for a bit then meet up with us back at the car.

Although Vera has been to the beach many times this was her first dip in the Atlantic.

Sand, water and rain!

The boys and Stella making it back to the car!

Playing in the bumbo chair!

 Look at me sitting up here!

 Saturday it poured almost the entire day.  We got out foa short venture downtown Hampton to ride the carousel!

 The girls and J & K downtown Hampton!

 Meeting Uncle J!

 I am so Happy with my Auntie!

Opening gifts from Unlce J

 My cinnamon rolls on Saturday morning!  

 Playing in kitchen-making some pizza!

Literally 20 minutes after J & K left the Robert's family arrived for a week!  They made the trip from KS with the four boys...pics to follow soon!

Turning 2!

I will apologize now for the excessive amount of pictures in this post.

Stella's Birthday Invitation!

Stella took cupcakes to school the Friday before her Birthday to celebrate.  Dianne had her chair and tray decorated for her special day.  Strawberry cupcakes-a favorite recipe compliments of Emily Julian!

Stella got a "big girl bed" for her Birthday.  Helping Daddy put it together.

Mommy and Vera watching Daddy and Stella.

Aunt Kelsey came down for the day to celebrate Stella's Birthday.

 I realized I didn't take any pictures of the bed complete.  It looks great-Charlie made it!  It has six compartments on the bed for books/toys etc.  We put Stella to bed in it on Saturday night and fell asleep with no problems.  I was putting clothes away in our room when I heard a thud.  Stella fell out of bed, half asleep crying laying on the floor.  I returned her to her crib for the night.  I ordered rails for her bed and we will install those and try it again.

Check out my bottom lip!

Now I am happy!

Opening Presents!

My co-worker Audrey gave Stella some beautiful jewelry for her Birthday!

2 going on 16....

My sister and I up late on Friday night making Stella's cake!  Loved having my sister to help and brought back so many memories of spending time with her in the kitchen growing up!

The school bus is ready for the party.  Charlie got up early on Saturday morning to put the finishing touches on the cake.

Good Morning and Happy Birthday Stella-check out your Birthday cake!

Enjoying her cake!

So it was Saturday evening and was just Charlie, Stella and I sitting at the table getting ready to actually eat a piece of her cake with ice-cream.  Stella had some how managed to get chocolate ice cream all over her hands when we heard "Shit, Stella's all messy".  Welcome to having a 2 year old around!

We went to the Virginia Zoo in Norfolk  on Sunday morning-Stella is checking out the turtles.  Charlie took a bunch of great animal shots, but I decided not to include them in this post and will post them later!

Dianne, our babysitter went on vacation this week, so my dear friend Emily & Paul came to stay with the girls Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.  Such a huge help so I could work part of the week-Thank you Emily.  Stella absolutely LOVES Paul and Emily.  The kids play together so well it is amazing.  Emily and I got to catch up in the mornings and evenings with long walks and time at the park with the kiddos.  I did a horrible job taking pictures while they were here so I snapped a few before they were getting ready to leave this evening.  Super excited to have Thursday and Friday off to spend with the girls!  

This is Paul and Stella hugging-ADORABLE!

Now this is Paul getting Stella to the ground to give her a kiss!

Now Stella tackling Paul!